Clyde May's Whiskey 9 Year Cask Strength

This second edition Cask Strength is once again a limited release. Named by Liquor.com in the Top 7 Cask Strength Whiskeys to try right now. 117 proof. Sip neat or serve with one large piece of ice.

In the glass, Clyde May 9 Year Old is a sharp red, middling amber, a tone with a very reflective, bright appearance. The coat of the glass dropped a lot of skinny legs.

The nose has a current of peppermint and spiciness that jumps out at you, followed hard by a thick layer of vanilla and a little stone fruitiness/. Only after a few sniffs did I pick up a light note of oak. Sometimes I picked up a little heat, but not with every nosing.

One on the palate, a dry, spicy and woody character occupies most of the stage, crowding out the underlying sweetness. Although it’s not a hot whiskey at this stage, I recommend a splash of water or an ice cube, because either will bring the flavor into better balance. That done, the sweetness opens up to reveal vanilla and peach. In terms of texture, the whiskey is rich and creamy, and hangs onto that character even with a little dilution, so you have nothing to lose.

The finish continues that run of dry spiciness, but this soon fades just leaving some sweet, seasoned peaches and warmth to savor.